Explore the Family Name Hell
The meaning of Hell
1. English: probably in many cases a variant of Ell with prosthetic H-. Compare Heal 3. 2. English: topographic name from Middle English hell, southeastern form of hull, hill ‘hill’, found e.g. in Kent, Sussex, Essex, and Hertfordshire. 3. English (southwestern): variant of Heal with shortening of the vowel. 4. German: nickname from Middle High German hell ‘bright, shining’. 5. German: variant of Helle 1.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Hell in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname "Hell" has seen a decline between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 42,677 in popularity, but by 2010 its rank had fallen to 55,121, marking a decrease of 29.16%. The number of individuals with this surname also dropped from 478 to 373 during the same period - a reduction of 21.97%. The proportion per 100,000 decreased as well, dropping from 0.18 to 0.13 which accounts for a 27.78% reduction.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #42,677 | #55,121 | -29.16% |
| Count | 478 | 373 | -21.97% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.18 | 0.13 | -27.78% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Hell
When exploring the ethnicity of those carrying the surname "Hell", the Decennial U.S. Census shows some noticeable changes between 2000 and 2010. There was no recorded change in the Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native categories. However, there was a significant decrease in holders of the Hell surname who identified as two or more races, going from 3.35% to 1.88%, a fall of 43.88%. Those identifying as white made up the majority, although their percentage reduced slightly from 81.80% to 79.36%, a decrease of 2.98%. On the other hand, there was an increase in the Hispanic group, growing from 2.51% to 4.83%, a rise of 92.43%. Similarly, the Black community saw a slight increase, moving from 10.04% to 10.99%, an increase of 9.46%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 81.8% | 79.36% | -2.98% |
| Black | 10.04% | 10.99% | 9.46% |
| Hispanic | 2.51% | 4.83% | 92.43% |
| Two or More Races | 3.35% | 1.88% | -43.88% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |